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Bladder cancer: can we move beyond chemotherapy?
1Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1155 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA. asiefker@mdanderson.org
Current Oncology Reports
|May 7, 2010
Summary
Chemotherapy for urothelial cancer needs improvement. Research into bladder cancer biology, gene therapy, and immunotherapy offers hope for more effective and less toxic treatments beyond traditional chemotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Urothelial Carcinomas
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Cytotoxic chemotherapy is standard for advanced urothelial cancer.
- Current treatment strategies lack biological understanding, limiting novel agent efficacy.
- There is a need for more effective and less toxic therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore emerging research in urothelial cancer biology.
- To discuss novel therapeutic strategies beyond traditional chemotherapy.
- To highlight potential advancements in treating urothelial malignancies.
Main Methods:
- Review of current research on urothelial cancer biology (p53, EMT, EGFR, angiogenesis).
- Exploration of novel therapeutic modalities including gene therapy and immunotherapy.
- Analysis of potential impacts on future drug development.
Main Results:
- Understanding cancer biology (p53, EMT, EGFR, angiogenesis) can guide novel agent development.
- Gene therapy (adenoviral vectors for interferon) shows promise.
- Immunotherapy (vaccines, anti-CTLA4 antibodies) offers new treatment avenues.
Conclusions:
- Future urothelial cancer treatment may shift from cytotoxic chemotherapy.
- Targeting cancer biology and utilizing immunotherapy can lead to more active, less toxic combinations.
- Advancements aim to improve outcomes for patients with advanced urothelial cancer.
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